Sleepless in Savannah (21 page)

Later that night, Lance tried to get comfortable at the sleep clinic—they'd wanted him to spend at least three nights undergoing the testing. But thoughts of Sophie interfered. He felt like the biggest bastard in the world. He had been raised by his Southern mother to respect women, to treat them right, to protect them, and Sophie and Lucy had never done anything but be nice to him. Yet he had managed to hurt them both.

Damn it, he would never forget that haunted look in Sophie's eyes. It was the same deep pain he'd seen in Chase's face when he'd first met him years ago. Chase had been a gangly teenager with a chip on his shoulder, fighting for a place in the world. He had nowhere to call home but an orphanage. What would cause Sophie to look that way? It was almost as if she had secrets.

No. Sophie wasn't a gangly, abandoned child living in an orphanage—she was smart, sophisticated, beautiful, a celebrity, for God's sake—she could have any man in the world she wanted.

Why in the heck would she have chosen him?

It doesn't matter; you've totally blown any chance you might have had with her.

Did he want a chance with her?

He wanted to make the sadness he'd caused her disappear. Could he convince her that he was worthy of being her friend, maybe even her lover? Would that be enough?

He pictured Sophie making hot lip-prints all over his body after he'd brought her to ecstasy.

Was she fantasizing about doing the lip dance with another lover, or with him?

* * *

Sophie knows
had featured a special on romantic nights in Savannah. The author of a popular book on the subject spoke, highlighting several restaurants, bars, hotels, and bed-and-breakfast inns along with various tours, romantic ghost tales, and excursions that would enhance a romantic evening. After his part of the program, Lucy highlighted the fine points of Sleepover, Inc.'s romantic products, which could enhance a relationship, vaguely hinting at the more provocative items but tastefully eliminating any graphic details.

After the show, Sophie and Lucy met Maddie to shop for paint and wallpaper as well as a few decorative items for the house. Sophie was exhausted but exhilarated.

They finally decided to celebrate the syndication of Sophie's show with dinner out. They stopped at Tubby's Tank House for drinks and food, filling up on the shrimp salad and grouper fingers.

"Let's toast to Sophie's success." Maddie raised her Cosmopolitan.

Lucy clinked her margarita with Maddie's. "She's going to be a megastar."

"I'm not sure it's all good." Sophie hesitated before raising her merlot. "A lot of pressure comes with a move like that. I still want to air quality shows."

"No
Jerry Springer-
type episodes, sis?"

"Exactly." And no past secrets returning to haunt her. Like patrons of the Diva act. She instantly scanned the bar to see if the talent scout might be in the vicinity.

Maddie's eyes brightened. "How's it going with my brother working at your house on a daily basis?"

Sophie and Lucy exchanged knowing looks. "Not well," Sophie admitted.

"Lance told Reid to stay away from me," Lucy confided.

Maddie's face fell. "Those moron brothers of mine make me want to scream."

"Listen, Maddie," Sophie said, covering Maddie's hand with her own, "the last thing I want is to cause trouble between you and your brothers. Let's drop it, okay?"

Maddie pinched her lips, looking as if she might spit fire any second. "You are not the problem."

"I'm moving on," Sophie said.

"Yeah, Sophie's already met a dreamboat through that singles service. He sent flowers today."

Sophie glanced at her sister. "He did?"

"A dozen yellow roses. They're gorgeous." Lucy tapped the table in a drumroll. "Isn't that romantic, Maddie?"

But Maddie didn't respond. She was too busy staring at the door.

"What is it, Mad?" Sophie asked.

"Uh, too late, I sort of mentioned to Chase that we'd be here, so if he and the boys wanted to stop by..."

Sophie swung her gaze to the door, where Chase, Lance, and Reid stood. The Terrible Three—they should have kept the nickname. They were undoubtedly the three best-looking men in Savannah, tall, rugged, muscular, hardworking men who wore jeans that fit like gloves and created a path of ogling women wherever they went. All they needed were black motorcycle jackets and tattoos to complete their bad-boy attitudes.

Sophie tried to remember George's face—what did he look like?

"Does Lance know you've been dating?" Maddie asked.

Sophie nodded. "Trust me; he's not losing any sleep over it."

Maddie tapped her glass with her fingernail. "I'm not so sure about that. Lance wants you, there's just something holding him back." There was a hint of worry in her voice.

"Do you think he's still hung up on that bachelor pact?"

"What bachelor pact?" Lucy asked.

Maddie rolled her eyes. "Lance, Reid, and Chase were buddies growing up. They signed this stupid agreement that none of them would ever get married, then renewed it right before they went into business together."

"They thought women would be a distraction," Sophie added.

"Duh?" Lucy laughed. "But a good distraction. How caveman are they?"

"They're men," Sophie said. "Need you ask more?"

Lucy laughed. "Hardly."

"Ditto." Maddie tilted her head, her earrings jingling. "But this isn't just about Lance or one date; it's the battle of the sexes." She leaned forward and whispered, "Now, Lucy, you do everything you can to seduce Reid. He'll cave in no time."

"I hope so. I have no intention of letting your brother tell me what to do."

"Be careful, Lucy," Sophie warned. "I don't want you getting hurt."

"Don't worry, sis. I can take care of myself."

"Good girl," Maddie said. "And Sophie, continue to make Lance swim in circles, strutting your stuff, but let's also play the aloof card."

"The aloof card?"

"Yes, men always want what they can't have."

"But he doesn't want me."

"Yes, he does; he just thinks he doesn't." She bit her lip and narrowed her eyes. "But he does like big-breasted brunettes who don't demand much, so let's give him what he believes he wants. See that girl at the bar?"

"You're going to fix him up with someone else?"

Maddie's look turned wicked. "He
thinks
he wants someone like her, but she's all fake, right down to her water bra."

"I'm not sure I'm following."

Maddie laughed. "Simple. We give her to him on a platter, and when he discovers she's a fake, he'll realize you're not, and that you're the one he really wants. Who knows, maybe her water bra will spring a leak."

Sophie tried to follow Maddie's crazy logic and failed. Besides, there was one flaw to the plan: She wasn't exactly the person everyone perceived her to be.

What would happen when he discovered she was a fake, too?

* * *

Lance wanted Sophie. But from the distressed look on her face she wasn't exactly ecstatic to see him.

"You going to talk to her?" Reid asked.

"I don't know. She was really pissed at me last time we talked."

"Maddie was pretty PO'd at me a few times, but we worked it out," Chase said.

Lance frowned into his beer as Maddie waved them over.

"Lucy's a real looker," Chase observed. "I can see why she's getting under your skin, Reid."

Reid and Lance exchanged uncomfortable looks. Sophie, Maddie, and Lucy were the three best-looking women in the whole damn city.

"All right, guys." Chase gestured toward the women. "Gear yourself up and let's go. The only way to combat the opposite sex is to get down and dirty."

If he had to fight to get Sophie's forgiveness, down and dirty sounded good to Lance. As though preparing for battle, the three of them squared their shoulders and fell into line, Chase leading the way as if he were the commander. Lance took center position, trying to read the situation as they approached.

Maddie launched herself into Chase's arms, the kiss that exploded between them steaming up the air. If his best friend hadn't already married Maddie, Lance would have pulled a shotgun and forced him to on the spot.

Fighting the awkwardness, Lance grabbed a bar stool and slid onto it. "Hi, ladies."

"Lance, Reid." Sophie's clipped response didn't sound promising.

Lucy, on the other hand, batted her eyelashes at Reid. His poor brother didn't know what hit him. He was completely sucker punched and immediately fell under her charms, leaving Lance to fend for himself.

"You look beautiful tonight," Lance said, figuring a compliment might break the ice.

"Thanks, we've been celebrating."

"Sophie's show's being syndicated; she'll be famous," Maddie exclaimed, dragging Chase onto a stool close to her. "She's even been offered a job in L.A."

"That's wonderful," Lance said. "You should be proud of yourself. You deserve the glory."

Sophie gave him a skeptical look. Okay, maybe he was laying it on a little too thick.

"Are you feeling all right?" Sophie asked.

"Sure, why?"

"You're being so nice," Sophie said with a tight smile.

His smile faded. But he wasn't ready to throw in the towel. "Maybe I've changed my mind about a few things." Actually the thought of Sophie moving away made him feel panicky.

Sophie sipped her wine, eyeing him over the rim of the glass. "What, you're going to find someone else to finish the renovations?"

She wished. "No, I'm going to finish them." He swirled his beer around in his mug. "Guess I'll be around for a while, after all."

"Too bad," Lucy said, then continued when Sophie gave her a questioning look: "I mean, too bad I'm leaving soon and won't see the finished product."

"You'll come back again, won't you?" Reid asked; distress laced his brother's voice.

Lance took another look at Reid. Was his brother falling for Lucy?

Lucy slipped her hand over Reid's. "Definitely. Vegas is only a plane ride away. And flights run both ways."

The bar was growing crowded, so Lance scooted his stool closer to Sophie's, struggling for something to say that didn't sound ridiculous in front of his sister and the others. "What about you? Are you taking the job in L.A.?"

"I don't know."

Anxiety tightened Lance's throat. If she moved away, he'd never get a chance to hold her.... "Can I buy you another drink, Sophie?"

Her dark lashes fluttered in surprise. "I... thank you, but I probably need to go soon."

"Early day tomorrow?"

She nodded. "One more show in this singles series. I'll be glad when it's over."

"But at least you've met some nice men through the service," Lucy said.

"Speaking of the singles service," Maddie said, "how are you enjoying it, brother, dear? Met any women you want to tell us about?"

Lance gritted his teeth. "No."

"Ahh." Maddie slid her arm around Chase's neck. "There's someone at the bar I want you to meet, Lance. See that busty brunette with the halter top? She's one of my clients. I've been helping her redecorate her house for the last few months."

What the hell was Maddie doing? Trying to fix him up in front of Sophie? He thought she wanted the two of them together.

"Yoo-hoo!" Maddie stood and waved at her friend. "Courtney, come here; I have to introduce you to my brothers."

The brunette wobbled toward them, her skintight miniskirt crawling up her legs. She gave Lance a slit-eyed look that said she was ripe for the picking. He inched closer to Sophie.

"Courtney, this is Lance and Reid. Remember I told you about them at the gym?"

"Right." Courtney ran long pink fingernails through her locks, shaking her hair over her shoulders. "Nice to meet you fellows."

For the next five minutes Courtney rubbed herself all over Lance. Much to his distress, neither Sophie nor Maddie made a move to rescue him.

Lucy stood. "Reid and I are going over to Bernie's."

A sheepish grin pulled at Reid's face. "They have the best songwriters in the south. Lucy should see the town while she's here."

"It's a pretty romantic city," Maddie said. "I still remember the first carriage ride Chase and I took."

Sophie pushed away from the table. "I have to be going."

"You need a lift?" Lance asked.

"No, thanks." She gestured for him to stay seated. "Stay here and enjoy Courtney."

Lance's hand tightened around his beer mug. He desperately wanted to escort Sophie home, talk some more, prove he wasn't the bastard she thought him to be. But Sophie said good-bye, dismissing him for the night.

And Courtney was pawing at his leg, telling him they'd find ecstasy together.

Or had she said they'd buy Ecstasy together...?

* * *

Maddie and Chase walked Sophie to her car. "Trust me," Maddie whispered.

Sophie jiggled her keys. "If that's what he wants, let him go for it."

"He's probably trying to figure out a way to escape her as we speak."

"I doubt it." A wave of defeat settled over Sophie.

"Hang in there, Soph." Maddie hugged her. "Everything's going to work out; I know it."

Sophie nodded, although the only thing she knew was that Lance was chatting it up with Courtney, and she was going home alone while Maddie had Chase. And if Reid's smitten look told the story, Lucy had Reid, at least for the night.

What was wrong with her?

A late-evening breeze stirred the trees and brought a mixture of floral scents as she drove home. Late-night lovers strolled hand in hand along the riverbank, enjoying the moonlight, inhaling the salty air.

The night had been made for lovers, yet she had no love.

She parked in her driveway, loneliness echoing around her. All she'd ever wanted when she was a little girl had been a real home with a walk-in closet, birdfeeders in the yard, and a white picket fence.

With that house came stability and, of course, someone to love her. A family.

She had the house now. Had she thought the rest would follow?

Her heart heavy, she dragged herself inside. The message machine was blinking, so she replayed the messages.